JoAnna Pallante was born in Brooklyn, New York. Her mother is of Italian descent, and her father was born in Avellino, a province in Southern Italy. JoAnna began acting in drama classes and productions as early as elementary and junior high school. After earning her Bachelor of Arts degree from Fordham University in the Bronx, New York, she resided in Manhattan and worked on Wall street for several years. She moved to Los Angeles in 2013, but often visits New York for work opportunities and to spend time with family and friends.